Poll

Do you have an exercise machine hooked up to a generator?

Yes a pedal generator
5 (14.3%)
Yes but Eliptical or combinatation hand and foot
0 (0%)
Yes and I use it regularly
3 (8.6%)
Yes but I don't use it regularly
4 (11.4%)
Would you like to be in a group to help inspire you to exercise regularly?
1 (2.9%)
No, but I want an excercise generator
12 (34.3%)
No, I don't plan on having an excercise generator
10 (28.6%)

Total Members Voted: 28

Author Topic: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator  (Read 36389 times)

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Norm

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #33 on: March 24, 2011, 11:00:36 PM »
What ratio to the crankpedals is that treadmill motor?
Norm

Norm

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #34 on: March 30, 2011, 10:03:41 AM »
  March is almost over and I've pedaled 1200 watt/hrs.
  Since I've been pedaling the PedGen it's been over 16000 watt/hrs.
  Back then (about 3 or 4 yrs.ago), I weighed 220 vs. now 190.
  No doubt in my mind....if it wasn't for the incentive of generating 
electricity ....and using it....I'd still be sitting around weighing 220 or more.
  So those of you that are reading this, and want to make a PedGen....
don't just think about it....do it ....and use it !
  I'd love to share your experience of making one and how it's affected
your life....

  Total voters 29.....  (Read 7019 times)   hmmm !
Norm.

Norm

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #35 on: April 27, 2011, 11:03:15 PM »
I've been pedaling every day since the last posting 50 watt/hrs. the combination
of my 6 lamps using 9 LEDs each and each lamp hooked up to a 2.6 amp/hr. NiCad
provides me with a lot of nite lite lighting.
Since I never did get the right ratio for 12 volt charging, I charge 24 volts.
Each NiCad gets hooked in series with a 75 amp/hr. deep cycle SLA .
I charge each one 5 watt/hrs. each .
 Ghurd : Using the 12 volt coffee maker about every other day,
Whenever the deep cycle reaches 13.65 ....1 cup of coffee 10 minutes
drops the voltage to 12.50.
Big satisfaction having a cup of coffee this way ....I did it ! ....Not wind power...
Not Solar power....Not water power....or Grid power...but me ...I did it....
Ahhh....good cup of coffee !
Norm.

hiker

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #36 on: April 28, 2011, 03:16:42 AM »
way to go NORM...............
WILD in ALASKA

Norm

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #37 on: April 28, 2011, 08:59:04 AM »
Thanks Hiker ! Been thinking of using the Treadmill motor pretty
soon for a electric assisted tricycle direct front wheel drive that I pedal large
5 speed type front wheel (28 inch or so) a power wheel to raise or lower
between the two trailing wheels.
 
   Starting on the front wheel today ......
Norm.

ghurd

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #38 on: April 28, 2011, 09:06:27 AM »
Using the 12 volt coffee maker about every other day,
Big satisfaction having a cup of coffee this way ....I did it ! ....Not wind power...
Not Solar power....Not water power....or Grid power...but me ...I did it....
Ahhh....good cup of coffee !
Norm.

If I had to pedal to power my coffee pot, I'd cut back to less than 2 pots a day!

Great job!
G-
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Norm

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #39 on: April 28, 2011, 09:24:30 AM »
You'd drink less and enjoy it more !
Got an ECM that'll make twice as much with half the effort ?
(huff....huff )
Norm.

ghurd

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #40 on: April 28, 2011, 09:41:00 AM »
I wish I had an ECM that made twice the power with half the effort!
G-
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DanG

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #41 on: April 28, 2011, 10:19:32 AM »
The ideal ECM could produce twice the power with zero effort!

ECM = energetic coffee maker = someone else to pedal!


ghurd

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #42 on: April 28, 2011, 10:27:40 AM »
At 2 pots a day, maybe a ped-gen would use up a bit of my jitteryness?

90 mile extension cord, for 100W at 12V, and I could send some power up to Norm's battery!
G-
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jaysicle

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #43 on: April 28, 2011, 06:06:11 PM »
Norm, I would like to change my vote from 'No, and I want one' to 'Yes, and I use it regularly' (every day in fact).

...Thanks to Ghurd for advice on many levels.  

« Last Edit: April 28, 2011, 06:09:58 PM by jaysicle »
Marble cake is hard on the teeth.

Norm

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #44 on: May 02, 2011, 05:58:56 PM »
Norm, I would like to change my vote from 'No, and I want one' to 'Yes, and I use it regularly' (every day in fact).

...Thanks to Ghurd for advice on many levels.  

(Attachment Link)
(every day in fact)
way to go !
more details would be interesting   :)
sorry I didn't see this until now
....been busy pedaling   :D
Norm

jaysicle

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #45 on: May 04, 2011, 05:20:29 PM »
I will put a post together - I guess a 'diaries' post would be most appropriate, although it may turn into more of a monthly-ary.

I love the coffee maker idea, and 220-190lb...... Nice Work.
Just picked up 30lb of free weights and carried that for one minute as reference.
Took a stroll around my basement.... Holy Cow. Nice Work.

Marble cake is hard on the teeth.

Norm

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #46 on: May 04, 2011, 07:08:03 PM »
In the back of my mind....I'm considering an eliptical.....why an eliptical?
.....because I have this 4ft. diameter round table.....turn it sideways and it's a
flywheel ....friction driven wheel on the generator(treadmill motor)......
  Maybe I'll get to that before the end of summer  :)
Norm.

taylorp035

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #47 on: May 04, 2011, 08:32:35 PM »
I would think an elliptical would produce more power because the body is more adjusted to walking/running than pedaling a bike.  The arms may help too.

jaysicle

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Re: Exercise machines hooked up to a generator or alternator
« Reply #48 on: May 07, 2011, 09:36:16 PM »
I would think an elliptical would produce more power because the body is more adjusted to walking/running than pedaling a bike.  The arms may help too.
In a way, I agree.

Yes, the body has evolved to walk/run vs. bike - no real argument there. However, pushing anything with your upper body is not a natural walking / running mechanism.
IMO... while some short term power gain with full concentration may be achieved 'pushing' with your arms as well as your legs, natural shoulder / arm / elbow / wrist / hand movement is best as counter balance to aid in stabilizing core from power created by largest lower body motors - hamstrings, quadriceps, rear end and such. Think helicopter. Think human legs = main rotor+jet (lift and thrust), where human arms = helicopter stabilizers (to keep you balanced so that you can lift and thrust again in the right direction).

When you watch folks 'work out' on these things they really aren't 'pushing/pulling' with their arms. If they did they would be maximizing their effort, (which was liklely the intent of the things) but not necessarily their workout. On a bike you use some natural upper body reaction vs. bars to stabilize, although gyro takes care of most of balance, and to generate massive torque when required (hills/passing/wheelies).

When you think about leg pressing 450lb 30reps vs. triceps 50lb 30reps the 10:1 'ness becomes clearer. Even on a stationary bike I think you'd be better off using the 10% on balance / short term extra torque ( & higher current flow :) )

I think you'd be fighting your natural balance for 36 of the 40 minutes, which is great for sweating... and focusing on using your arms for only 4min. helping push pull really well during that stint. I suppose if you were to alternate a bit, you could give your legs a 'rest' - but if you are riding within yourself this is not an issue.

I would love to be wrong about kinetics and see people getting 320W continuous with addition of arm movement though.  :)

This is not to poo-poo the flywheel. That (I believe) is like a giant cap, and should help some.

Marble cake is hard on the teeth.